Message: 2 Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 00:55:05 -0700 From: "Rod Scholl" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: Attachments
Woof Puppy writes: > >I define > attachments as psychological crutches. >Yes -- crutches for healthy legs :) >This reminds me of my questions about how much is "too >much". As though, there is a valid worry that if one >doesn't have a little attachment to food, one would >starve to death. I'll have to add that to a list of >"stupid things to worry about" :) The reason so many people fast is to prove to themselves that they don't need food for emotional survival. Food is very important, and we shouldn't deny ourselves its nourishment, as the Buddha realized when he gave up the ascetic life. However, depending upon it for happiness is a mistake. Some folks need to excersize a little will power every now and again just to remind themselves what's important. A man from my Sangha pointed out that there's nothing wrong with having a high-paying job, or having nice things, so long as you recognize that they are not the least bit important. > >However, once someone has reached that point of > >control, there really is no reason for them to deny > >themselves a good hot tub soak now and again if > >circumstances permit. >You probably are speaking loosely, but someone might >mis-hear you and think one is developing self-control" >or will power. This is hope-less. Better to give up >the control and if you really enjoy hot-tubbing >see what comes of it. Rod Scholl I think self-control is very important, especially if your ultimate goal is to get rid of your concept of self. Otherwise, you just obey all your whims, and ultimately become self-indulgent. This is counter-productive to your original ego-shedding goal. (I mean ego in the Freudian sense). It is wrong to instinctually deny or appease your whims on general principle. Managing them objectively is the best way to rid yourself of your ego. Make your judgments outside of yourself, and you'll be able to see both sides of the issue, and decide which course of action will best serve the common good. SPROCKET __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Would you Help a Child in need? It�s easier than you think. Click Here to meet a Child you can help. http://us.click.yahoo.com/kx_54C/I_qJAA/i1hLAA/S27xlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Noble Eightfold Path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, Right Livelihood Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZenForum/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
